Neonatal Intensive Care

We undertake clinical research studies in newborn babies. Many of these babies are born very prematurely. Very premature babies are quite vulnerable, often have breathing difficulty and need careful attention right from birth. We do observational studies to try to learn the best ways of monitoring the babies immediately after birth, so that we can know whether they need help while not interfering unduly with them. We are performing interventional studies to refine the ways in which we support their breathing after birth. Central to this is a study that we are performing with help from colleagues across Europe with financial support from the EU – the POPART (Prophylactic Oropharyngeal Surfactant for Preterm infant: A Randomised Trial) trial. We are studying surfactant, a drug that is commonly given directly into the trachea (windpipe) of premature babies who have immature lungs to help expand their lungs through a tube. Our study will show whether or not giving surfactant into the mouth of premature babies immediately after birth, so they can inhale it will prevent them from being ventilated for inadequate breathing.